Condenser



June 1'7, 1930.

R. N. EHRHART 1,764,716

CONDENSER Filed Feb. 11 1926 m l o N 0 0 m no 000000200 :50 0 000000000000 0000 0O 0 0 0 0 c. 0 oo o0O n) C O O O O o o o "0 000000000000000000 000 S 000000000000 0000 N 000000 000 N 000000 000 000000000000 4O00000000 O O O O O o O O O N Nl Ill

INVENTOR Patented June i7, i930 UNITED s'rATEs v'PATENT ,orFicl-IRAYMOND N. EHBHABT, F EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB. TOELLOT'L OOI-PANY, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CDRPOBATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA IcoNDENsEn vApplication led February The present invention relates broad]to the art of heat excha ers and method o operating the same, an moreparticularly to surface condensers. p

p It has heretofore been proposed in the art to which the presentinvention relates to provide surface condensers with cells orycompartments of different condensing capacities. The control o'f suchcondensers has however,

presentedy a very considerable prob some cases there have been rovidedvalves to lappoi'tion the steam tot e variouscells in accordance withtheir condensing capacities. When it is considered that the exhaustopening of a 30,000 kw. turbine, for example, is approximately 8 feet by16 feet, it will be readily apparent that since each valve must be of asize tohandle in the neighborhood of one third of the steam exhausted,the

valves are of such magnitude as to make them not only extremelycumbersome and dillicult to mount and operate, but also very expensive.Controlling valves of this .general character, have, therefore, not goneyinto any extended use. y i

In other cases engineers in the art have at tempted to solve the problemby the use of separate air pumping means 'for each of the cells orcompartments of the condenser, the air pumps each being of such sizethat the lifull capacit of each compartment could be obtained, 'he useof amultiplicity of air pumping means, however, introduces complicationsboth. froma manufacturing and operating stand oint,A together withadditional cost, all o whil are obJectionable.

It hasalso been proposed to'utilize but one 'air pump and provide thesame with separate regulating valves to the individual ,compartf ments.To those skilled inthe art it is well understoodl that widely dilferentv.operating conditions are encountered with a given 1nstallation, and'such conditions requentyY necessitate-manual operation of the indivi ualvalves. This is not' desirable, as 1 t requires not only a skilledoperator at all times, but careful' kadjustment 'of ,the individualvalves in order to insure roper results.

Thepresent invention' v v 50 objects the simplification of condensers ofvthe which t as for one of its.

11, 1926. Serial No. 87,645.

general character referredto both with respect to construction andoperation,;by the elimination of steam distributing valves, separate airpumping means, separate air olftakes or re lating valves, orsimilarfmeans, with the elimination of their inherent objec tions. l

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustrationonly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 1t beingunderstood that the drawings do not define the limits o'f my inventionand changes in the construction and o eration therein disclosed may bemade wit out departing either from the spirit of the invention or thescope of my broader claiins.

In the drawings: c

Figurel is a longitudinal sectional view, largely diagrammatic, throughone florm of coidenser embodying the present invention, an

Figure 2 is a partial transverse sectional view on the line II-II of inthe direction of the arrows.Y

In a multi-cellular condenser in which the cooling or condensing watermakes but a single ass throu h the tubes, and therefore usua ly referreto as a single pass condenser, a cell or compartmentA of givensizenearest the cold end of the condenser, the end first receiving thecooling water, has obviously a reater condensingcapacity than a similarcel or compartment 'more remote from the cold end of the condenser,least ad'acent the end of the condenser from e cooling water is dischard. 'If each of thecells condenses to its fu capacity, the one condensingthe most steam will obviously havek the greatest pressure loss measuredat the extremes of the steam ow zone. It necessarily follows that as theressure of the steam at* the inlet of allo the cells is. substantiallythe same, the pressures at the termini ofthe respective cells must bedifferent; It isfoi-ethis reason that ithas lieretoforebeen considerednecessary to have either separate airppumpin means to sepa- .y ratelyhandle the `non-con ensible gases or connecting to h the .ave vvalvemeans adjustably individual cellstqa single air pumping Figure 1lookingl the capacity beingv means. If, however, large valves with theirattendant objections, as referred to, are placed at the steam inlet `tothe respective cells, the loss of pressure can be equalized for all ofthe cells by proper setting of the valves, thereb permitting a singleair pumping means to e utilized. My invention contemplates similarresults without the use of an valves.

ere a single air olftake is used on single pass condensers as heretoforedesigned, any increased air pumping capacity has withdrawn an increasedamount of vapor from any cell which is doing its full quota ofcondensing work.` If certain cells are doing l their full quota of work,and other cells are not, ity is impossible to increase the overallcondensing capacity of such other cells by increasing the capacity ofthe air pumping means, as such means will simply draw an excess amountof vapor from such cell or cells as are already doing their fullquota'.` In accordance with the present invention, I prevent such excessvapor withdrawal from any cell or cells, for example,.by providing anopening of limited area in the gas o'take of the compartment. Incarrying out rthe present invention there may be provided a condensercomprising a4 water header 2 having a suitable water inlet 3, and asimilar header f1 having a water outlet 5, these headers beingconnectedby` tubes 6 as is customary in the art.` The tubes and headersare of such construction that a single pass for the cooling orcondensing water is provided.

The interior of the condenser may be di- 'vided into any number ofcells, as indicated by the reference characters 7, 8 and 9, by suitablebailles 10 and 11 disposed as desired.

AThese cells respectively have steam or vapor inlets 12, 13 and 14 allcommunicating with the main vapor intake 15 of the condenser, andproviding a vapor flow through the cells in parallel, while the waterflow is in series therethrough.

The partition 10 is provided with an opening 16 constituting an outletfrom the cell 7 into the cooler cell 8 for vapors and non-condensiblegases, while 17 is a similar opening through partition 1l from cell 8into the still cooler -cell 9. An oil'take 18 is in turn provided forcommunication with any suitable pumping or lexhausting means capable ofhandling the amounts of gas and vapor incident to condenser operation.

With the construction shown it will be seen that all gases and va orsleaving the warmest cell 7 must travelt rough all of the other cells,the direction of gas and vapor flow from cell to cell being counter tothe direction of water flow. The openings 16 and 17 permitting thistravel are preferably located be- :neath a baiile 19 herein illustrated.as being generally of inverted V-shape. TheA gases and va ors flow incell 7 into the space below the ba e, and thence through opening 16 intothe next cell. Beneath the baffle in cell 8 there are preferablyprovided baiiles or other flow obstructing means 20, whereby fluidentering through the opening 16 is deflected and 'caused to flow throughat least a portion of the tube zone of the cell 8. The underside of thebaille in cell 9 is similarly provided with bailles 21 forcorrespondingly producing a fluid flow from opening 17 into at least aportion of the tube zone of the cell 9. The openings 16, 17 Iand 18 aregraded in size as each in succession must handle an increased amount ofgas and vapor. l

In operation, with a construction of the character herein contemplated,cooling water entering at 8 yand leaving at 5 traverses the tubes 6 withthe result that condensation occurs in all of the cells. Thecondensation in cell 9 heats the cooling water to some extent, so thatthere is less condensation in cell 8, and correspondingly .less in cell'7 due to additional heat imparted in cell 8. As there is a less vaporflow throughcell 8 than through cell 9 there will be a greater pressureloss through cell 9 than through cell 8, and the vpressure at theterminus of cell 9 will be less than at' the terminus of cell 8, and,likewise the pressure at the terminus of cell 8 will be less than at theterminus of cell 7.

In general, I have found it to be desirable f to grade the area of theopenings 16, 17 and 18 in proportion tothe amount of fluid each musthandle. If, for example, the condensing capacity of Icells 7, 8 and 9 isinthe ratio of 400, 500 and 600, then the openings might conveniently beproportioned as follows:

Area 16 proportioned to 400.

Area 17 proportioned to 400 plus 500.

Area 18 proportioned to 400 plus 500 plus 600.

Furthermore, the areas for these openings are preferably such thatVthere will be a pressure drop of, say, a few hundredths of an inch ofmercury through them when passing about triple the normal air with itsaccompanying vapor. When each of the cells is worklng up to its normalcondensing oapacity it discharges roughly two pounds of vapor with everypound of air through its terminus o r outlet, either into the next cellas in the case of cells 7 and 8 or directly to the a1r pumping meansasin the case of cell 9. If more steam enters a cell such as 7, than canbe condensed therein, the pressure at the terminus of such cell willrise, since the opening 16 1s so small that the steam cannot bewithdrawn rapldly enoughv to keep the pressure down.

The obstructions or baies 21 operate to prevent overloading of thepumping means y an excess of vapor from 'incomplete condensatlon 1ncells 7 and 8, by deiiecting such vapor into the tube space of the nextcell vao receive cooling water.

where it is condensed. Normally there should be the lowest pressure atthe terminus of cell 9, and my present condenser admirably accomplishesthis inasmuch as cell 9 is in direct communication with the pumpingmeans. Also, the natural loss ofpressure through the openings 16 and 17likewise tends to grade the pressure as desired.

The condensate from the condenser may be removed through branch conduitslea ing from a main conduit 22. On account of the different pressureobtaining at the termini of the respective cells, it will be a parentthat the 4condensate will stand at dierent levels in the branches "asindicated in Figure. 1. Any suitable means, such as a centrifugal pump23, may be used to finally exhaust the condensate-and deliver it to thedesired point. The advantages of the present invention arise from therovision of a multi-cellular single pass con enser in which thetermina-l fluid liowy from each of the cells is definitely restricted.;`

Further advantages arise from the provision of a multi-celliilarcondenser of the character referred to in which cumbersome or manuallyoperable valves are obviated, and in which it is possible toobtain boththe desired pressures at the termini of the respective cells, and thedesired gas and vapor oitake by the use of a single exhausting means.

Still further advantagesl arisefrom theV provision of means in acondenser of the character herein contemplated operable to prevent anexcess of va or in certain of the cells from overloading t e'exhaustingmeans.

I claim: i Y 1. Inv a single pass surface condenser, means providing apluralit of cells having a vapor low therethrough 1n parallel and awater How therethrough in series, and means for directing a flow o gasfrom the terminus of atleast one cell later to receive cooling waterinto a cell earlier' to receive cooling water.

2. In a single pass surface condenser having cooling tubes,meansproviding a plurality of cells having a vapor flow therethrou h invparallel and a water flow therethrough 1n series, and means fordirecting a flow of gas from the terminus of at least one cell later toreceive cooling water into a cell earlier to receive cooling Water andthrough the vtube zone therein.`

3. In a single pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality ofcells havin a vapor owtherethrough in parallel an a water flowtherethrough in series, and

means for directing a flow of gas from the termini of the cells later toreceive cooling water successively into the cells earlier to 4. In asingle pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality of cellshaving a vapor flow therethrough in parallel and a water flow therethrouh in serles, and means means providing a plurality of cells havin avapor flow therethrough in parallel an a water flow therethroughl inseries, and means for directing a flow-of gas from the terminus of atleast one cell later to receive cooling water into cells earlier toreceive cooling water, saidI cells earlier to receive cooling waterhaving means therein to insure cooling of the Y as directed thereinto..

6. In va sing e pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality ofcells having va'vapor flow therethrough in parallel and a Water flowtherethrou h in series, and I 'neans for directing a flow o gas from thetermini of the lcells later to. receive cooling 'water successively andin seriesinto the cells earlier to receive cooling water.

7. In a single pass surface condenser,

means providing al plurality of cells having aV vapor flow therethroughin parallel and.` a water How therethrough in series, and means fordirectin a ow of gas from the termini of said ce ls in series throughthe cells in a direction counter to the water ilow therethrough.

8. In a single pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality ofcells havin a vapor flow therethrough in parallel and a water iiowtherethrough in series, and means for directin a flow of gas from thetermini of said ces in series throughthe cells in a direction counter tothe water flow therethrough, said cells so receiving gas from anothercell having means therein insuring'.

the cooling of such gases.

' 9. In a condenser having a plurality ofA cells providing a vapor flowtherethrough iii parallel, means providing a water flow through saidcells in series, said cells having means providing a gas flowtherethrough in eries in a direction opposite to said water ow. e

10. Inra multicellular surface -conden'ser constructed for a vapor flowthrough the cells Ain, parallel, means providing a single-pass water Howthrough at least a plurality of said'cells in series, at least alurality of said cells havin a gas flow theret rough in series in adirection counter to said water flow.

11.l In a multicellular surface condenser,

cessivel increasing in size in the direction of gas ow.

12. In a multicellular surface condenser, means providing a single-passWater flow through at least a pluralit of said cells in series, at leasta plurality o said cells having a gas flow therethrough in series in adirection counter to said water flow, said gas liovv being permitted byoutlet openings succes! sivel increasing in size in the direction of gasow and in proportion to the condensing capacity of the cells from whichthey discharge.

l 13. In a multicellular surface condenser, means providing asingle-pass Water loW through at least a pluralit of said cells inseries, at least a plurality o said cells having a gas fiow therethroughin series in a direction counter to said Water oW, said gas 'How beingpermitted by outlet openings of such size there will be a pressure dropof a few hundredths of an inch of mercury through them when passingtriple the normal gas and accompanying vapor.

14. In a condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, anda partition dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells receivingvapor therein in parallel, said p partition having an openingtherethrough permitting a gas iow from cell to cell.

15. In a` condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, anda partition dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells receivingvapor therein in parallel, said partition having an opening therethroughpermitting a gas flow from cell to cell in opposition to the'vvaterflow.

16. 1n a condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, andpartitions dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells, each ofsaid partitions having an opening therethrough permitting a gas lovvfrom cel to cell, said openings being of successively greater capacityin the direction of gas dow.

17 ln a condenser having a main gas ofi'- take, Water tubes forming asingle pass therethrough, a partition dividing said condenser into aplurality-of cells, said artition having an opening therethrough et lesssize than said oftake permitting a gas flow from cell to cell, andabatiie cooperating With said opening.

18. ln a condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, apartition dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells, saidpartition having an opening there through permitting a gas flow fromcell to cell and a bafe cooperating with said epening, said baiie havingfovv-deecting means thereon.

ln testimony whereof li have hereunto set my hand. n v

RAYMOND N., EHRHART.

